CLINICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CYSTIC PERITONIAL LESIONS IN RABBITS

Abstract

Cyst-like lesions of the serous membranes of the abdominal organs are a poorly studied, but clinically and diagnostically significant pathology in rabbits. Despite the relative prevalence of serositis of various genesis, the morphological features of cystic changes of the peritoneum in this species of animals remain insufficiently systematized, which complicates their correct interpretation during pathological examination and post-mortem control. In the practice of veterinary medicine, such lesions are often regarded as parasitic or neoplastic processes, which increases the risk of diagnostic errors. The aim of this study was to characterize the clinical and morphological features of cystic lesions of the peritoneum in rabbits based on the results of pathomorphological examination of the abdominal organs. The studies were conducted on the basis of a private rabbit farm in the Rivne region. The objects of the studies were rabbits in which pathological changes of internal organs were detected during clinical examination and post-mortem control. The material was the liver, stomach, small intestine and mesentery. Macroscopic assessment of serous membranes was carried out taking into account the localization, number, size and morphological characteristics of cyst-like formations, as well as the condition of the serosa, the presence of effusion and vascular changes. During the studies, it was established that the dominant morphological changes in rabbits were multiple thin- walled cyst-like formations localized on the serous membranes of the liver, stomach, intestine and mesentery. The lesions detected were accompanied by thickening of the serosa, accumulation of serous effusion and focal petechial hemorrhages. The morphological picture indicated a chronic course of aseptic serositis with the formation of serous-cystic structures. The features of the location of the formations, in particular their localization along the vessels of the mesentery, indicated the probable role of microcirculation disorders and lymphatic drainage in the pathogenesis of the pathology under study. The results obtained are consistent with the literature data on the mechanisms of development of chronic serositis and have important practical significance for pathoanatomical diagnostics. The proposed clinical and morphological characteristics of cystic lesions of the peritoneum allow to increase the accuracy of differential diagnosis with parasitic and neoplastic processes and can be used in the practice of veterinary medicine, the educational process and in post-mortem control of rabbit products.